Red Wings Blank Blackhawks, Take 3-1 Series Lead

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images(DETROIT) — Jimmy Howard saved all 28 shots he faced leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-0 Game 4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in their Western Conference semifinal playoff series Thursday night.

The Red Wings lead the series 3-1, and are one win from eliminating the top-seeded Blackhawks from the postseason.

Howard has now held the Hawks to one goal or less in three straight games.

“He has kind of been in a groove for a while now,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “And we need that to be successful.”

Red Wings defensemen Jakub Kindil scored his first goal of the postseason 10:03 into the second period.

Corey Crawford had 25 saves in the loss for Chicago.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago. Start time scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Eastern.